Potential ex vivo immunomodulatory effects of San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang and its component herbs on mice and humans

Chia Yang Li, Yu Chi Hou, Pei Dawn Lee Chao, Chi Sheng Shia, Ian C. Hsu, Shih Hua Fang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim of the study: San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang (SHXXT), an important Chinese medicine formula, contains Rhei Rhizoma (RR), Scutellariae Radix (SR) and Coptidis Rhizoma (CR). RR and SR are abundant in anthraquinone and flavonoid polyphenols. Pharmacokinetic study of SHXXT indicated that glucuronides were the predominant forms of polyphenols in rats. Materials and methods: As an extension of pharmacokinetic study, the serum metabolites of SHXXT, RR, SR and CR were prepared from rats and quantitated, then the immunomodulation effects were examined by culturing these serum metabolites with murine and human immune cells. Results: The results indicated that the inhibitions on nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production from mitogen-activated peritoneal macrophages by the serum metabolites of SHXXT, RR, SR and CR were through reducing the protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and the IC50 were 0.8%, 1.5%, 3.0% and 0.8% of their blood concentrations, respectively. In addition, the serum metabolites of SHXXT, RR, SR and CR significantly decreased the ratios of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) to interleukin (IL)-4 in mitogen-stimulated mice spleen cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Moreover, the serum metabolites of SHXXT and SR significantly arrested the mitogen-stimulated mice spleen cells at G2/M stage. Conclusions: In conclusion, the serum metabolites of SHXXT and the component herbs exerted promising modulation activities on the immune functions and the cell cycle distribution of mice and human immune cells. We suggest that SHXXT is a promising remedy for immunomodulation through Th1/Th2 regulation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)292-298
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Ethnopharmacology
Volume127
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 03 02 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Coptis chinesis
  • Peripheral blood mononuclear cells
  • Peritoneal macrophage
  • Rheum officinale
  • San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang
  • Scutellaria baicalensis
  • Spleen cells

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